Moving from Wilmington, NC to Miami Gardens, FL
It is 770 mi between Wilmington and Miami Gardens β roughly 14h 16m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
770 mi Β· 14h 16m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 301, US 74 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Miami Gardens runs about 18.4% more expensive overall than Wilmington β RPP 96.422 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Miami Gardens run about 18.4% pricier β ZHVI $416,159 β $469,434 (2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 68.3" |
Annual temperature rises 11.6Β°F moving to Miami Gardens per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 3.22 |
Household income lines up β $63,900 vs $60,979 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 770 mi and the route typically takes 14h 16m via I 95 and US 301. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 4.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 770 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 18.4% higher than Wilmington (114.155 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 12.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Miami Gardens, FL.